Scientists discovered a "ghost shark". The mysterious creature lives hundreds of meters below the surface

Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth's surface, yet they remain largely unexplored. Scientists working on the international Ocean Census project have now announced the discovery of over a thousand previously undescribed marine species. Among the most interesting finds is the so-called "ghost shark," a mysterious deep-sea creature that has captivated not only with its appearance but also with its evolutionary origin.

Although it's nicknamed the ghost shark, it's not actually a true shark. It belongs to the group of chimaeras, which are related to sharks and rays but diverged from their common ancestors hundreds of millions of years ago. Chimaeras are often referred to as "living fossils" because they have retained many original features for a very long time.

The newly discovered species was found in the deep waters off the coast of Australia. It lives in an environment where sunlight does not penetrate, temperatures are only a few degrees above freezing, and water pressure is many times higher than at the surface. Such conditions are extreme for most known marine animals, but deep-sea species are perfectly adapted to them.

The appearance of chimaeras is often surprising to many people. They have large eyes adapted to life in the dark, an elongated body, and often a long, whip-like tail. Their unusual appearance and pale coloration are what earned them the nickname "ghost shark."

According to experts, this discovery is a reminder of how little we still know about the oceans. It is estimated that tens of thousands of species may exist in the seas that have not yet been scientifically described. Every new expedition to greater depths brings surprising discoveries and expands our knowledge of life on Earth.

Scientists also warn that some species may be threatened even before humanity has a chance to thoroughly explore them. Deep-sea ecosystems face increasing pressure in the form of climate change, ocean pollution, and planned mineral extraction on the seabed. The protection of these areas is therefore becoming an increasingly important issue.

The discovery of the "ghost shark" shows that the oceans still hold countless mysteries. While humanity sends probes into distant space, a large part of life on our own planet remains unknown. And it is in the dark depths of the oceans that other fascinating creatures may be waiting, whose existence we have no idea of yet.

Author: Miri Svobodová
Source: TN.cz / Ocean Census